Why is this man smiling? Not sure. A new Gallup poll is finding that Barack Obama got no bounce from choosing Joe Biden as his running mate. I'm not really surprised. Biden has had a very long career in the Senate, starting out as a boy wonder in a major upset election against a formidable opponent. He does not, however, come across as the most inspiring of Washington's leaders. And that's what we need in the middle of this depressing time -- a supremely talented person, who inspires us to do the work necessary to conquer our nation's mind-boggling challenges.
What do you think about Biden's pluses and minuses for the Obama ticket. Me? My theory is the Biden choice was a reactionary move because of the Russians' actions in Georgia. Biden should send a great big, beribboned fruit basket to the Russians for pulling that stunt during the Olympics. Obama did not react impressively in that situation, so the Obama camp panicked and trotted out someone with titanium-clad foreign policy cred. OK. We'll see how that works for them.
Last night during the convention coverage, Tom Brokaw was listing off all the problems the next president will face: this miserable economy, the unprecedented deficit, health care, climate change, energy crisis, two wars, the Russian agenda, the Middle East, terrorism -- and the big train that's coming -- entitlements for the aging and retiring baby boomers. Who wants a job like that?
Tell me we don't need inspiring leaders to help us dream up solutions for all these problems! I always lean toward leaders who are inspiring. Even if they are not as smart as their opponents, inspiring leaders will bring out the creativity, wisdom and perseverance in everyone else.They don't need to have all the answers if they can inspire others to work together and charge ahead to accomplish big goals.
Maybe Biden will give Obama some bounce with a rousing speech tonight. Sounds like Big B has been charged with attacking McCain. That's understandable, but he'd also better do some fancy talking to give the Democrats a clear understanding about why he was chosen as the VP nominee instead of the obvious favorite, Hillary Clinton, who was luminous last night.
Photo: Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
I'm not surprised that the media is looking for "bounces" and guessing that this is a reaction to recent foreign events. After all, it can't be something as simple as Obama just thinking that Biden would be the best fit for the job - someone he could "click" with, who complements his strengths and weaknesses, and who would be ready to step in as president if need be.
No, it's got to be just short-term, transitory political considerations. After all, all that matters these days is the 24-hour cable news cycle, right?
It must be fashionable to knock Senator Joe Biden.
Over the years, Senator Biden's name did not ring a bell of antipathy, so I
went to a search engine. And I was not wrong. He certainly did more for
America then Obama or Mc Cain.
I think women should hold their tongue disparaging him. Without his 1994
Violence Against Women Act it might be still legal for men to beat up their
wives. And the young should be told that Biden promoted legislation for
student loans and training for disadvantaged, low income youth.
I am sure Biden does not have a following like a rock star and girls fainting in his
presence, but without listing all the committees and sub-committees thereof,
I believe it was Senator Obama's prudent move to choose Biden over Hillary
Clinton. America's older voters and the lower middle class would not have gone
for an OBAMA-Clinton novelty ticket and thus give it to Mc Cain; nolens volens
(wether willing or not.)
It's very natural for the media to play up, play up, play up who the choice will be and then talk about it and it's effects for days and days until it gets old. It's not going to change anything.
I agree with both Isabell and Mike. And you can add Biden's 250 mile commute to and from the Capitol by Amtrak train everyday. He spends a lot of time with the other commuters talking about this and that. So just because he's been in the Senate for so long doesn't mean he isn't on board for the changes Obama speaks of.
Personally I like Biden, but I wasn't all that concerned with who Obama was going to pick and I'm not very concerned with who McCain picks. I sure would love it if he picked Sen. Larry Craig though. HA!
Obama says he wants "change." So, as VP he chooses Slow Joe Biden, part of the problem - a 35 year veteran of the Senate. Doesn’t look like change to me! Looks like the same old thing!
I made the call months ago that it would be Biden.
They complement each other and will be a perfect combination especially for the campaign.
People are not going to be turned off by Biden as a VP, on the contrary he has the potential to bring in the sceptic Democrats.
He is the best choice.
Hillary, Bill, Biden, Michelle, and Obama this campaign is going to be fun.
Who does McCain have George Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove?
Joe Biden, another leftist liberal. Pitifully, nearly every Bee bloggers dream come true.
"George Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove?" And maybe Henry Kissinger if he is still on this side of the river Styx.
Following the lead of the "Rich" post to have fun.
Unlike Europeans who usually vote for the parties' platform, Americans vote for the
individual. Therefore the nineteenth amendment makes the looks of the presidential candidate important. Senator Joe Biden kind a has the Cary Grant look. Looks wise I would not have given Barack Obama the time of day, but neither John Mc Cain.
That's funny Isabell. Is that Cerberus I see?
Well...maybe I look like Cerberus by now? But I used to be a headturner specimen. But Senator Biden still looks darn good.
If you cannot say with certainty whether or not someone is still living perhaps it is a subject best not tinkered with.
Rather than abandon class you might find reference to Mr. Kissenger's health status somewhere near here.
Isabell, I'm so used to my post falling in right behind the last post that I read. I keep forgetting that all posts on this site go up when they are approved. Therefore, when one's post eventually gets approved and goes up it may fall in line several posts down.
That's the case above. My Cerberus comment is a joke I applied to the three heads you mentioned earlier, George Bush, Dick Cheney and Karl Rove...across the river Styx.
I've got to be more specific in the future. My quick quips keep falling in line after the wrong post and inevitably get misconstrued.
Obama should have consulted a visual marketing team before choosing Biden. This is strictly an observation and not a hidden jab of any kind, but I did a double take when reading a Yahoo article on the democratic ticket. A sentence started with "Obama-Biden..." and I thought they were talking about Osama Bin-Laden. I wonder if the Obama campaign print managers are going to keep Biden's name off of the bumper stickers?
Here, look at it this way:
Obama-Biden
Osama Bin-Laden
Again, not a jab, but I'm sure some radio host will attempt to use that one...